SMSC and British Values

British Values

Democracy

Democracy is part of our working practice at the school.

Pupils are always listened to by adults, and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other -- respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils have their own voice, and are able to air their opinions and ideas through our School and Class Councils. The election of the School Council members is based on pupil votes, demonstrating democracy in action. Voting is also an element of a range of day-to-day activities such as School Council meetings and lessons.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced.

Our core values are reflected in children’s routines every day. Each class follows school rights and responsibilities that reflect strong core values. Our behaviour policy, as well as promoting good behaviour and effort, also makes it clear that if rules are broken there are consequences. Children take part in reflecting and identifying how to make amends through our 'Think it Through' forms. Our children are also taught that there are laws to protect us, and when these laws are broken we are potentially putting ourselves in danger, and could find ourselves in trouble.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our assemblies, PSHE and safe internet use procedures. Whether it is through choice of challenge in maths, of how they work in groups and record their work or their choice to participate in one or more of our numerous extra-curricular activities, our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the values that drive our ethos. Through our use of Assessment for Learning, and use of talk partners, the children are taught to work in harmony with others regardless of differences in attainment or gender.

We emphasise the right and responsibility of every child to learn. Ensuring that children understand that they need to consider their actions carefully so that they do not detract from learning and therefore affect others rights to learn. 

Respect of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

South Green Junior School enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies, P.S.H.C.E, assemblies and topic work.

This is further enhanced through carefully planned educational visits and by welcoming parents and visitors from outside the school. Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. Despite the lack of cultural diversity in the school we make every effort to highlight important events in other cultures.

Preparing pupils for the next stage of their education:

• South Green Junior School prepares its children very well for the next stage of their education. Feedback from the secondary schools to which most of our pupils go speaks well of the ease with which they settled in and their academic successes.
• Among the provision we put in place to ease transition are the following:

1. Visits to local secondary schools during Y6
2. Extra visits to the local secondary school for pupils who need additional transition support.
3. Visits to our Y6 by secondary teachers for detailed handover.
4. Examination preparation and practice.
5. Additional homework in Y6 requiring independence and time management.
6. Building self-confidence though taking additional responsibilities for pupils, such as running the school tuck shop and chairing the School Council in Year 6, speaking in assemblies, house captains, lunch time helpers,  classroom monitors and librarians.